For the first time the salaries of 21 classroom teachers in ACT public schools will reach six figures.

The ACT Government has appointed 10 educators to the level of Executive Teacher (Professional Practice) which will mean their pay will rise above $100,000.

It has also begun recruiting another 11 teachers for the roles.

The Government says it will allow the best teachers to receive a top salary without them having to leave the classroom to take on administrative or management roles.

The new positions also carry additional responsibilities including training and mentoring other teachers and interns.

Macquarie Primary School teacher Amanda Hawkins is one of the first group of educators to be appointed to the new role.

"It was a very rigorous and intense process," Ms Hawkins said.

"That process included developing a portfolio, which included samples on my work, samples of student work and samples of how I have led initiatives through the school.

"It included lesson observations, and an interview, so it was a very rigorous year."

Ms Hawkins says one of the most rewarding parts of her six year teaching career so far has been the feedback from students.

"The stand out moment for me is every time I get a letter from a child or from a parent saying thank you for the difference that you have made," she said.

"It always makes me well-up a little bit, and feel incredibly proud."

'Best practice'

Education Minister Joy Burch says the new classification is about recognising teachers as a profession.

"This is about being exemplary teachers," Ms Burch said.

"It is about teaching a classroom with the best practice, the most contemporary practice of teaching but it's also then working with their colleagues in the school and saying this is the new way of teaching.

"This is how we get the best out of our students and the best outcomes."

"We learn how to teach, but like many jobs it's actually in the classroom, it is understanding the students in front of you that teachers really develop and come into their own."

Pay levels

Australian Education Union ACT branch secretary Glenn Fowler says it is incorrect to say that educators who only teach in the classroom will earn more than six figures.

"No classroom teacher in the ACT earns more than $86,881 so it's important to clarify that," Mr Fowler said.

"This position of an Executive Teacher (Professional Practice) is one we absolutely support.

"It is a coaching and mentoring role enhancing practice across the school in a collaborative fashion."

The union says the newly created position is recognising classroom teachers who want to take the next step in their career.

"This is not a new pay rate," Mr Fowler said.

"This is the pay rate of $100,271 which hundreds of executive teachers already earn in the ACT.

"They will be teaching their own classes for part of the time and the rest of the time they'll have a school-wide role."